Sneezing can be a sign of either allergies or the common cold.
It's a problem that many allergy sufferers confront when the weather starts getting colder: How can you tell which of your symptoms can be attributed to allergies and which are signs you might have a virus? Treating allergies like a cold won't make them go away, and treating a cold like allergies can actually make it worse if you don't take time to rest and heal. Many allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing and congestion, are also present in the common cold, but there are a few key symptoms that are only present in one or the other. Here are some "tells" to help you determine the source of your symptoms:
- Itchy eyes: Itchy eyes are almost never present in cold sufferers, and are therefore a sign that your symptoms may stem from allergies. Avoid touching your eyes with your hands and use a home air purifier to remove airborne allergens from your home.
- Aches and pains: On the other hand, allergies almost never manifest as deep aches and pains in the muscles. If you're experiencing this symptom, you probably have a cold and should rest up to avoid making it worse.
- Fever: This is rarely present in both allergies and colds, but it is more likely to come along with a cold. If you have a fever, you should make sure you aren't experiencing anything more serious than these options, such as the flu.
- Fast onset: If your symptoms come on and worsen over the course of a day or so, you are more likely to be sick than allergic. Allergies develop gradually and are present over a much longer time period than the common cold.
If you're experiencing allergy symptoms this winter, contact US Air Purifiers for help finding an air purifier for allergies.